Urinary Tract Infection (UTI) - Patient & Family Guide 2021 - Nova Scotia Health Authority

Patient & Family Guide
                               2021

 Urinary Tract
Infection (UTI)

             www.nshealth.ca

Urinary Tract Infection (UTI)
Urinary tract infections (UTIs) can happen when
bacteria (germs) get into the urinary tract. The
urinary tract is made up of your kidneys, ureters,
bladder, and urethra. UTIs are not sexually
transmitted (partners do not spread the bacteria
(germs) to each other).
Signs of infection may be:
   › Feeling you need to urinate (pee) more
     often
   › Feeling you need to urinate but then are
     not able to
   › Pain, pressure, or a burning feeling when
     urinating (peeing)
   › Foul (bad) smelling or cloudy urine
   › Dark coloured urine
   › Blood in your urine
   › Cramps in the lower part of your abdomen
     (stomach area)
   › Lower back pain

How are UTIs treated?
If you have a UTI, your health care provider will
likely order an antibiotic medication for you.

                        1

What can I do to help?
• Take your medication as directed until it is
  all gone, even if you start to feel better.
• Drink lots of fluids while taking your
  medication. Drinking fluids can help flush
  (get rid of) the germs that cause a UTI.

    Some people with other medical
    conditions or who are on certain
    medications should not drink more
    fluids than usual. Check with your health
    care provider about the safe amount of
    fluids for you.

• For most people, drinking pure cranberry
  juice (not cocktail) can help you get rid of the
  infection sooner by making your urine acidic.
  Acidic urine slows the growth of bacteria.

     Some people with other medical
    conditions or who are on certain
    medications should not drink cranberry
    juice (for example, if you are on blood
    thinners). Check with your health care
    provider if cranberry juice is safe for you.

                         2

What can I do for pain?
• Try to urinate often. It is important to flush
  your urinary tract to get rid of the bacteria.
• Sit in a warm tub filled only with water. Do not
  add liquid soap or bath oil — this can make
  your infection worse.
• Clean your genital area using a soft cloth
  2 times a day with warm water only. If you
  must use soap, use only unscented.
• For back pain, place a warm water bottle
  or heating pad on your lower back or lower
  abdomen for 10 minutes at a time.

To lower your chance of infection:
• Do not wait a long time to urinate. Go as soon
  as you feel the urge.
• Urinate shortly before and after sex.
• Always wipe from front to back after urinating.
• Wear cotton underwear.
• Do not wear tight jeans, panty hose, tights, or
  yoga pants for long periods of time.
• Do not wear panty liners when you are not
  having your period.
• Do not add anything to your bath water
  (like liquid soap or bath oils).

                        3

• Avoid using scented soap or any scented
  products on your genital area.
Be sure you understand the above instructions.
Please ask staff any questions you may have
before leaving the hospital.

 Call your primary health care provider if:
     › your symptoms get worse even though
       you are taking your medication as
       directed.
     › there is blood in your urine.
     › you have a fever (temperature higher
       than 38.5° C/101.3° F) or chills.
     › you start having pain in your back,
       lower back, or on your side between
       your upper belly and your back.
     › you have more pain or the pain moves
       to a different part of your body.
 If you are not able to contact your primary
 health care provider, call 811 or go to the
 nearest Emergency Department.

                      4

Notes:

Looking for more health information?
Find this pamphlet and all our patient resources here: https://library.nshealth.ca/PatientEducation
        Contact your local public library for books, videos, magazines, and other resources.
                      For more information, go to http://library.novascotia.ca
Connect with a registered nurse in Nova Scotia any time: call 811 or visit https://811.novascotia.ca
   Learn about other programs and services in your community: call 211 or visit http://ns.211.ca

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                            Prepared by: Emergency Department, QEII
                         Designed by: Nova Scotia Health Library Services

      The information in this brochure is for informational and educational purposes only.
   The information is not intended to be and does not constitute health care or medical advice.
                 If you have any questions, please ask your health care provider.

WJ85-0396 © June 2021 Nova Scotia Health Authority
The information in this pamphlet is to be updated every 3 years or as needed.